
Langton Nyakwenda
SINCE 2018, Highlanders have not beaten Dynamos in a Premier Soccer League match in Harare, bringing an interesting aspect to the match at Rufaro Stadium today when the two giants clash.
Recent events at DeMbare have left the Bosso camp believing they can break the jinx and complete a double over their oldest rivals, for the first time in four seasons.
Bosso beat DeMbare 2-1 in the reverse fixture at Barbourfields Stadium on March 10, giving them more belief they can make it at Rufaro today.
It has not been well at Dynamos in recent weeks.
DeMbare are coming out of an industrial action that crippled the club for four days, and there are concerns from fans about the manner the team is being managed. Some of the DeMbare players are disgruntled, as they are yet to receive signing-on fees, five months after the 2024 season kicked off.
Dynamos players were owed bonuses for the first half of the season matches until Wednesday, when club sponsor Sakunda Holdings, reportedly intervened and paid the outstanding amount.
There is no such crisis at Highlanders, whose players get winning bonuses on time, thanks to the club’s partnership with Pedzai “Scott” Sakupwanya’s Better Brands.
It is against this background that Highlanders arrive in the capital to face Dynamos in the latest Battle of Zimbabwe episode at Rufaro.
The blockbuster clash returns to Mbare for the first time since November 2019.
The Mbare venue was then closed for prolonged renovations until it was reopened early this year.
Despite the off-the-field issues affecting Dynamos, fans are still expected to throng Rufaro for this gigantic battle, which kicks off at 3pm. That is why DeMbare have pegged the cheapest ticket at US$5.
Although Highlanders have just one win in their last eight games, one would feel the Bulawayo giants are in with a big chance, given the circumstances at the Harare giants.
Bosso coach Kelvin Kaindu is cautious as he believes what is happening at Dynamos must not influence his players.
“It makes it very difficult when you are playing a team that has in-house problems,” Kaindu told the media. “This may also affect us in one way or the other.
“If you look at the game of this magnitude, it does not matter if they have trained or not. It’s a game everyone wants to come and watch.”
The Zambian gaffer is not thinking much about the reverse fixture.
“We don’t want to dwell on the first leg. We are focusing on the away game and see if we can remain focused,” he said.
DeMbare coach Genesis Mangombe says his charges are ready for battle, despite the strike that cost them four days of training.
He welcomed back skipper Frank Makarati, who is coming from injury.
“The boys respect this fixture and I am sure they will give their all come Sunday (today),” Mangombe said.
DeMbare had a topsy-turvy first half of the season, during which they managed five wins, nine draws and three losses.
The Harare giants, who appear to be fading, have 24 points from 17 matches, which translates to a 47 percent success rate.
With five wins in 17 matches, DeMbare’s win rate stands at a paltry 29 percent.
The club’s poor show has been attributed largely to internal issues like non-payment of signing-on fees and winning bonuses.
Highlanders were equally poor during the first half of the season, although they have two more points than Dynamos.
They have a single win in their last eight games.
Bosso lost against Yadah at Heart Stadium, when they last visited the capital city during Week 17.
This is Highlanders’ third visit to the capital this season, having already faced Herentals and Yadah Stars.
They drew 2-2 against The Students at Rufaro, before losing 0-2 against The Miracle Boys.
They have six wins, eight draws and three losses so far.
Coincidentally, both Dynamos and Highlanders have the same number of losses going into this latest edition of the Battle of Zimbabwe.
Interestingly, Dynamos right back Emmanuel Jalai is the only player left at the Harare giants from the starting line-up that featured the last time these two teams met at Rufaro back in 2019 and drew one all.
“It’s been long since the Battle of Zimbabwe was played at Rufaro, so having the opportunity to play again at this venue is a great feeling,” Jalai told The Sunday Mail Sport.
“l am aware of what to expect in that game and we will do our best to get a positive result.”
Ariel Sibanda, Andrew Mbeba and Peter Muduhwa started for Highlanders in 2019 and they are still around. Bosso can also bank on striker Lynoth Chikuhwa, who has scored seven goals so far.
There was pandemonium at Rufaro the last time Highlanders beat Dynamos on April 2, 2018, with the police firing teargas to disperse a section of rowdy DeMbare fans. The supporters had swarmed the gate to the VIP entrance, demanding answers from the club’s leadership on the team’s poor run at the time.
Bosso went on to complete a rare league double over their rivals with a convincing 3-0 victory at Barbourfields in the reverse fixture later that year.